Pete, known for his charm, honesty, and deep affection for rescue dogs, made the comment while promoting his new series For Dogs’ Sake. His words — “I just feel more comfortable with dogs than I do with people” — struck a chord with animal lovers, thousands of whom flooded social media to say they felt the same. But as the praise poured in, so did the criticism. Some called his remarks “ridiculous” and “out of touch,” accusing him of trying to grab headlines ahead of his show’s release.
However, whispers inside the industry paint a far darker picture. According to multiple sources, Pete’s troubles may have been deliberately amplified by none other than Alison Hammond — his supposed friend and rival in the TV world. Alison, who recently took over hosting duties on For the Love of Dogs, is said to have been “furious” at how quickly Pete’s show gained traction. One insider revealed: “Alison couldn’t stand the attention Pete was getting. She’s always been seen as the warm, relatable one — but suddenly, it was Pete who everyone was talking about. That didn’t sit well with her.”
Reports claim Alison privately voiced her disapproval of Pete’s “dog over people” statement, calling it “divisive” and “a slap in the face to viewers.” Within days, headlines began appearing that painted Pete as insensitive, while whispers circulated suggesting he was “difficult to work with.” Another production insider added: “There’s a real sense that someone wanted to tarnish Pete’s name just as his star was rising. The timing was far too convenient to be coincidence.”
Friends of Pete describe him as “devastated” by the backlash. “He loves animals — that’s who he is,” one close pal said. “Pete’s not arrogant, he’s just genuine. The dogs he rescues are his world. He didn’t mean to upset anyone, but now it’s like his every word is being twisted.”
As for Alison, sources close to her insist she had “nothing to do” with the backlash and that she “wishes Pete well.” But many industry watchers aren’t convinced. The sudden tension between two of Britain’s most beloved TV personalities has left fans divided — and networks nervous.
In the end, Pete’s simple comment about preferring dogs to humans has become a lightning rod for something much bigger: ego, envy, and the brutal competition of television fame. Behind the smiles and feel-good moments of prime-time TV, a quiet battle for recognition is raging — and this time, it seems the claws are well and truly out.
